By Amelia Duarte
The 25th International Havana Ballet Festival will take place in the Cuban capital city from October 26 to November 6 this year, now with the name of Alicia Alonso, president and inspiring figure of the event. This new meeting with the world dance has more than one novelty, since with its new name and the participation of the first national figures there will be guest companies from other countries and the premier of pieces by several foreign and Cuban authors.
One among the most awaited choreographies could be the one set by French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied for Cuba’s National Ballet (BNC, after its initials in Spanish), as confirmed Miguel Cabrera, historian of the company, to Granma newspaper.
Millepied, present director of The Paris Opera Ballet company—one of the most ancient institutions of its kind in Europe—visited recently the National Ballet School and the National Ballet’s seat, where he witnessed the rehearsal of the second act of Giselle, performed by Anette Delgado and Dani Hernandez. Afterwards, he met with the prima ballerina assoluta.
His presence in Cuba was reported by several national and international media, especially for the fact that he was accompanied by his wife, the famous actress, producer and director of Israeli origin Natalie Portman, the leading character in films like Closer, V for Vendetta and Black Swan, which won her the Academy Award as Best Actress that year.
Thought the actress got the spotlight during their visit to the Caribbean island, this first visit of the French choreographer has been valuable for Cuban ballet.
“Benjamin is considered presently as one of the most distinguished choreographers at world level. Though French, he developed his career in the United States, where he became First Dancer in the New York City Ballet, the company created by George Balanchine. He has been a man with a meteoric choreographic career, despite his young age. We have this festival every two years, but for one reason or the other we hadn’t been able to have a direct contact with him”, said Cabrera.
With this trip to Cuba, Millepied created a direct connection to the Cuban ballet and with its main figure, said the Historian. “The name of Alicia is very much respected in the Paris Opera Ballet, and during his meeting with her, he personally confessed his interest in restoring Alicia’s version of Giselle with this company.”
“The conversation was lively and they exchanged opinions on Balanchine. Alicia wanted to know when one of his choreographies will be performed by Cuba’s National Ballet, to which he answered that during this festival. Despite his load of work, he promised to send a régisseur and then he will come here.”
The International Ballet Festival of Havana Alicia Alonso, celebrated every two years, will have as main venues the Alicia Alonso Grand Theater of Havana, the Teatro Nacional, Mella and Karl Marx theaters.
Source: Granma
